Whew, seems like I can only find time to do this two days after.. >.<" Wednesday, 14th April 2010 will be a day that I'll remember for a long time because of this experience. It's an eye-opener and infinitely interesting, but I doubt that I would go through it all over again in the near future...LOL!
It's the assessment center from a well-renowned company (which I shall not name in case I jinx myself!) that I had previously applied for. Going through their online tests were extremely difficult, but I was glad that I managed to get through them all! *grins* Sadly, I was not one of the lucky 6 who were chosen for the assessment center for that traineeship position. And I was so banking on it! >.<" But a couple of days later, I got a call from them again, offering me a chance to apply for another position, after being shortlisted from that pool of candidates. I was told that there were an approximate number of 1610 candidates who applied (for the traineeship position), and I was one of the 6 chosen for this other position after they shortlisted further! Stoked as I was (it's not every day I get a call saying that I stood out enough...especially after that disastrous interview thingamajig in Penang), I also knew the stakes were high, as 6 of us were only vying for maybe 2-3 spots.
The day started early (8.30am) but I woke up at about 6.30am, bustling about to get dressed and prepared for the day...reached the hotel in record time (there wasn't even a traffic jam, can you imagine?) and had an early breakfast, although I can barely finish my roti canai, yummy as it was...yup, I was that nervous. Went into the hotel to freshen up, said a quick prayer and headed up to the suite of rooms.
And so, the day begins. It was definitely a LONG LONG day, but the agenda was pretty simple. There was an introduction of the company, followed by a speech from the Managing Director of the company and a sharing session from an employee who went through the same process that we did last year. It was one of my favourite sessions of the day, listening to her enthusiasm and passion for the work that she does, as well as the enjoyment that she gets from it...all the things that I so crave for! I prayed and prayed harder that I would be good enough to get picked. Next were our assessment exercises, which consisted of a group discussion, individual presentations, and a personal interview with the assessors. Simple isn't it?
Even though the tasks seem pretty basic, but it was definitely mentally draining...especially for me, who haven't experienced this kind of interview before. Havign to analyse business situations and providing 'suggestions' and being given only one and a half hours to prepare for a 15 minute presentation is so nerve-wracking! Not to mention that the competition were stiff. We all never got to observe each other during our individual sessions, but I could definitely tell during the group session that they were very worthy and formidable guys and girl (can you believe it was just me and another girl? The rest of the 4 were guys! >.<") and I had to step up my 'game'. All that, and the knowledge that you were being assessed by the regional managers and directors of the company all the time got me panicky and feeling like I could throw up at any time...which is a shame, because the food served by the hotel during lunch and during our breaks looked super delicious! I just didn't have the stomach to take it...*sigh*
I definitely breathed a big sigh of relief after all my tasks were done, but kicked myself hard for not doing better in my presentation task. >.<" It wasn't as if I haven't done any presentations before, but I guess most of the presentations I had to do were more like reports rather than presentations to persuade or negotiate with a client. And so, would you believe it...the most important presentation of my life so far was blown away by me freezing halfway through the task!!!!! >.<" I did manage to finish it in the end, but I also knew that I stuttered and stammered like crazy during the whole ordeal (who knew if the assessors understood what I was trying to say??!), and let's not mention me forgetting what I wrote down in my notes and messing up my points....*sighhhh*
Oh well, what's done is done I guess....all I can do now is wait for the results and fervently hope for the best. *crosses fingers hard* A good friend told me that he feels I will get the job....if it really does happen, I will definitely treat him to dinner! *grins* They said to expect a call by Monday...so, I'm really hoping the phone rings on Monday with super good news...I want that job!
